Product description

Living in 2300 BCE, Sumerian high priestess Enheduanna became the first author of historical record by signing her name to a collection of hymns written for forty-two temples throughout the southern half of ancient Mesopotamia, the civilization now known as Sumer. Each of her hymns confirmed to the worshipers in each city the patron deity's unique character and significance. The collected hymns became part of the literary canon of the remarkable Sumerian culture and were copied by scribes in the temples for hundreds of years after Enheduanna's death. Betty De Shong Meador offers here the first collection of original translations of all forty-two hymns along with a lengthy examination of the relevant deity and city, as well as an analysis of the verses themselves. She introduces the volume with discussions of Sumerian history and mythology, as well as with what is known about Enheduanna, thought to be the first high priestess to the moon god Nanna, and daughter of Sargon, founder of one of the first empires in human history.

Review quote

"Meador succeeds in presenting very unusual poetic material (translated beautifully) and in providing historical and cultural material that is still, alas, not well known to modern readers. [This work] is exceptional in succeeding at these difficult purposes.";oJohn Maier, Distinguished Teaching Professor Emeritus of English, SUNY College at Brockport

Table of contents

Foreword by John Maier; Acknowledgments; A Word about the Translation; Abbreviations;; I. Princess; II. Priestess; III. Poet; IV. Hymn to Enki's Temple at Eridu; 1. The Eridu Temple of Enki; V. Hymns to the Nippur Deities; 2. The Nippur Temple of Enlil; 3. The Nippur Temple of Ninlil; 4. The Nippur Temple of Nusku; 5. The Nippur Temple of Ninurta; 6. The Nippur Temple of Shuzianna; 7. The Kesh Temple of Ninhursag; VI. Hymns to Temples In and Near Ur; 8. The Ur Temple of Nanna; 9. The Ur Temple of Shulgi; 10. The Kuar Temple of Asarluhi; 11. The Kiabrig Temple of Ningublam; 12. The Gaesh Temple of Nanna; VII. Hymns to Temples in the Central Lowlands; 13. The Larsa Temple of Utu; 14. The Enegi Temple of Ninazu; 15. The Gishbanda Temple of Ningishzida; 16. The Uruk Temple of Inanna; 17. The Badtibira Temple of Dumuzi; 18. The Akkil Temple of Ninshubur; 19. The Murum Temple of Ningirin; VIII. Hymns to Temples in the Lagash Territory; 20. The Lagash Temple of Ningirsu; 21. The Uruku Temple of Bau; 22. The Sirara Temple of Nanshe; 23. The Guabba Temple of Ninmar; 24. The Kinirsha Temple of Dumuzi-abzu; IX. Hymns to Temples in the Umma Region; 25. The Umma Temple of Shara; 26. The Zabalam Temple of Inanna; 27. The Karkara Temple of Ishkur; 28. The Temple at )Ses-Du; 29. The Adab Temple of Ninhursag; 30. The Isin Temple of Ninisina; X. Hymns to Temples in Kazallu and Marad; 31. The Kazallu Temple of Numushda; 32. The Marda Temple of Lugalmarda; XI. Hymns to Temples in Der and Esnunna; 33. The Der Temple of Ishtaran; 34. The Eshnunna Temple of Ninazu; XII. Hymns to Temples in and around Akkad; 35. The Kish Temple of Zababa; 36. The Kutha Temple of Nergal; 37. The Urum Temple of Nanna; 38. The Sippar Temple of Utu; 39. The Hiza Temple of Ninhursag; 40. The Akkad Temple of Inanna; 41. The Agade Temple of Aba; XIII. Nisaba's Temple at Eresh; 42. The Eresh Temple of Nisaba;; XIV. Conclusion: Enheduanna's Gift; Notes; Bibliography; Index